June 2, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will host the third annual USATF National Club Track & Field Championships at the Billy Hayes Track in the Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington, Indiana on July 19, 2002. Track and field fans will have an opportunity to see this groundbreaking event that features head-to-head competition for national team championship titles.

With the addition of $6500 in prize money from USA Track & Field's Associations Committee and the transition to significant administrative support from USATF, the National Club Track & Field Championships continue to progress as the significant event on the national club calendar.

The inaugural year of the championship in 2001 showcased the potential of true team competition with the exciting finale of Nashville Elite edging Maryland Elite's 4x400 relay by 0.10 seconds in the final event to win the men's team title. Nashville edged Maryland by 4 points, 92 to 88. The relays will be the featured conclusion to this year's Club Championship. The inaugural championship in 2001 brought together 21 clubs representing a membership base of over 12,000 from communities in 16 states. The year 2002 saw a 75% increase in athlete participation with the clubs competing.

Greater Boston TC, after finishing fourth overall in 2001, went back to Boston with the goal of recruiting greater numbers with the focus of winning in 2002. Greater Boston accomplished their mission by increasing their ranks by a factor of five and set a new standard in the competition with their three victories in capturing the Men's National Team Title, the Women's National Team Title, and the overall National Team Championship Title. With their wins in 2002, Greater Boston TC returned to Boston with the ultimate prize in team competition in track & field, the Traveling Helmet Trophies, as the first ever triple crown winners of the club championships.

Meet Director & Team Director for the Indiana Invaders Greg Harger said, "We are proud to again host the Club Championships and be a part of the continued growth and development of this USATF Club Championship. We look forward to taking another modest step forward in the development of this event. This is a critical element of any plan to grow a club system in this country and it is an honor for us to host this event again." Harger added, "Competitively we look forward to the pursuit of championship honors as we owe all competing teams our best athletic effort. I expect that our athletes will conduct themselves with the utmost degree of healthy disrespect for our competitors. The Greater Boston Track Club and their outstanding performance in 2002 is the standard that we are pursuing and we are fully confident that we are not the only team with this mind-set for the 2003 Championships. It will be an exciting event."

The Haugh Track and Field Complex has 3,100 permanent seats, with additional lawn seating, and was the site for the 1997 NCAA Division I Championships. The Club Championships, hosted by the Invaders, will return to Bloomington again in 2004 on July 3rd.

USATF National Track & Field Club Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USATFClubTFChampionships/

Officials & Volunteers Registration:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/officials/

2002 USA Club Championships Highlights:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/releases/02/02-07-21tr.asp

2002 USA Club Championships Results:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/releases/02/02_club_championship.html

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (email)